New Bedford's Miss Latina Pageant expands to include boys

The second annual Mr. & Miss Latina/o Queen/King Pageant New Bedford gives Latino kids age 2 to 19 the chance to represent their culture and city.

SIMÓN RIOS

NEW BEDFORD — Leading up to her crowning as Miss Tiny Latina New Bedford 2013, Maria Carrascoza's 7-year-old would transform from a timid little thing into a fearless child who never shies from voicing her opinion.

"It's an honor for us," said Carrascoza, who lives in Fairhaven. "She was a very timid girl, then she entered the pageant and now she's very different. She speaks to you without fear."

Originally from Puerto Rico, Carrascoza is married to a Guatemalan man. She said her daughter is proud to represent both the Caribbean and Central American cultures. Winning the honor of Miss Tiny Latina at the first Latina beauty pageant was the icing on the cake.

That's the idea of the second annual Mr. & Miss Latina/o Queen/King Pageant New Bedford, giving Latino kids age 2 to 19 the chance to represent their culture and city.

Although last year's event was a success, what was originally a girls pageant is now expanding to include "los muchachos."

"We want to break that stigma that it's only 'Miss Latina,'" said Angie Vargas, president of the Puerto Rican and Latin American Arts and Culture Committee, which hosts the pageant.

In the inaugural pageant, the role of the boys was to escort the girls as they approached the catwalk. This year the boys spoke up — and they wanted to perform.

"They say, 'Why can we not compete and be part of this? I can be a good Mr. Latino. I can be the king,'" Vargas said with a smile. "And seeing that pride in the sound of their voices, that they really wanted to do it, it made us really think about it."

Mr. Latino won't be unique to New Bedford. Although fewer in number than women's pageants — and a rarity in the U.S. — Vargas said male pageants are common in her mother country, like the Misters of Puerto Rico pageant.

Joseline Fernandes was crowned Miss Coamo (Puerto Rico) in 1986. This year she's entering her 9-year-old into the Mr. Infancia Teen category at the New Bedford pageant.

Fernandes said the local celebration is different from how it was done in her hometown. In Coamo, there was just one winner, while in New Bedford, every participant gets a crown. Regardless, she can't quite convince her daughter to take part.

"She doesn't dare because she fears she won't win anything," she said.

Maria Jovel, 15, is Fernandes' daughter. Though she's still on the fence about entering, she said the pageant helps build bridges between Latino students. She said tensions sometimes exist between Latinos of different national backgrounds, and it's events like these that help change that.

"It's not about who's prettier or who's not pretty," she said. "As long as you show who you are and inspire yourself and show everyone how you look and how you talk to people "» that's what's more important."

Eileen Vargas, whose daughter Emily Guzman was crowned Miss Virrey last year, said the pageant not only teaches the kids about their culture but obliges them to speak Spanish when English is their preferred language.

She said it brings a sense of the old country — something that can be difficult to find in the United States.

"At the pageant, we can learn more about our culture, the cultures of different countries, because oftentimes it's easy to feel alone here," Vargas said.

"It makes you feel like you're at home."

Competing across four age groups, the boys and girls will be judged based on how they present themselves, as well as talent and "cooperation," a category based in attendance, finding sponsors, raising money for the pageant, as well as improving over the course of the pageant.

Those participating must live in New Bedford and have at least one parent or grandparent of Latino descent.

Although the pageant doesn't happen until June 21, casting auditions will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and Friday at Hayden-McFadden School. If more than 50 wish to participate, a pre-selection will have to occur to limit the amount of entrants. Entry is $75, though participants who bring two sponsors enter free.